Under Lin En’s admonition, Chen Jiuge naturally lost the desire to wander and instead took this opportunity to carefully observe the Inner Sect Disciples from other peaks.
The core of the Myriad Beasts Sect revolves around "beast" and "myriad." "Beast" signifies Guardian Beast and Spirit Beast Breeding, which needs no further explanation. "Myriad" symbolizes vastness. The ancestors of the Myriad Beasts Sect created a Cultivation Technique that utilized Lifebound Spirit Beasts to lay a solid foundation and accelerate Cultivation. Consequently, almost every disciple of the Sect practiced dual cultivation, such as the Body Refiner path chosen by Chen Jiuge.
As for Beast Masters, all disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect possessed Lifebound Spirit Beasts. Typically, they selected Spiritual Beasts that produced cultivation resources or aligned with their dual cultivation path. The level of engagement with regular Guardian Beasts varied depending on personal interest and choices.
Adjacent to Hundred Herbs Peak was the contingent from Jiuxuan Peak. Their group was significantly larger than Hundred Herbs Peak’s, with nearly thirty people. Most were Nascent Soul cultivators, and fewer than ten were above that rank. The leading twins were probably at the Returning Void Realm, just like Brother Lin En.
Whether it was because the Inner Sect was too large or for some other reason, Brother Lin En did not seem to recognize the leading twins, and there was no indication that they knew each other.
Just after sizing up the team from Jiuxuan Peak, a thunderous roar came from the sky.
The skies of the Myriad Beasts Sect were forever shrouded in mist. It was said that the Mirage Dragon used for assessments resided within these clouds, as it favored environments filled with mist.
An enormous flying craft appeared overhead—no, this should not be considered a mere flying boat any longer; it should be called a warship—the foremost feature being a ridiculously large cannon, a Super Magical Artifact specially developed by Vermilion Bird Peak. Below the level of Immortal, all beings were equal before it.
There was a row of people standing atop the artillery platform, led by a stout old man with a Qiongqi, a Fierce Beast, radiating a menacing aura behind him. The young men and Female Cultivators on either side, however, appeared quite youthful.
At this moment, Lin En suddenly spoke, "Leading them is the Ninth Elder from Vermilion Bird Peak, a Heavenly Immortal cultivator. He is said to have survived a Heavenly Immortal’s Life Span Tribulation once, successfully extending his lifespan by one Hui Yuan, and possesses tremendous combat power. Those on the sides are likely elite disciples of Vermilion Bird Peak, each with Mahayana Cultivation and truly outstanding below the rank of True Immortal."
"It looks like the resource-rich Immortal City developed by our Eldest Brother has attracted a significant force. Otherwise, they wouldn’t deploy such a grand array, even including Vermilion Bird Peak’s ace Flying Boat, Fen Tian."
After Brother Lin En finished his reflections, the Burning Sky Flying Boat smoothly hovered above the square. The sound of the Elder’s deep voice echoed from within, "Disciples, board the Flying Boat. You have fifteen minutes; we won’t wait for any stragglers."
Disciples from around the square rapidly mobilized their Mana to board the Flying Boat, with Lin En’s group being no exception.
Once on board the Flying Boat, Chen Jiuge looked at its simple decor and was momentarily stunned. Aren’t people in the Cultivation World supposed to be more lavish one than the next? This Flying Boat is so plain, truly unusual indeed.
"Which peak are you from?" a Female Cultivator dressed in a vibrant red vestment robe asked Lin En, who was leading them.
She did not look particularly stunning, but she exuded an aura of valiant heroism.
Lin En respectfully presented his waist token and replied, "From Hundred Herbs Peak."
"Hmm, your rooms are over there. Go on your way," the Female Cultivator directed them before turning to inquire of the next group.
En route to the rooms, Lin En expressed his concerns, "This operation seems quite sizable; it might be even more dangerous than I had anticipated. You all go to your rooms and get settled first. Later, come to my place to gather, and we will discuss further."
After saying this, Lin En cast an apologetic glance towards him, and Chen Jiuge returned a reassuring look.
「Thirty minutes later, in Lin En’s room.」
Looking at the five people below, Lin En spoke, "This task is probably not as simple as it sounds. I’m not too worried about Lin Jiu and Zhen Yan since they’re at Divinity Transformation Cultivation. However, the three of you have only just entered the Nascent Soul stage not long ago, and there might be dangers. Remember, after you arrive at the task location, don’t do anything risky."
"Junior Chen, your ability to cultivate Spiritual Beasts isn’t bad, so try to choose a task related to Spirit Beast Breeding when the time comes. Little Fish, you’re a Fourth Rank Spiritual Plant Master, so you should also choose a task related to growing Spiritual Medicine. Zhen Yan, does your brother have any specialties?"
Zhen Yan, looking serious and rarely showing an awkward expression, replied, "My brother is a Beast Master, but his skill in breeding Spiritual Beasts is average; he also pursues sword cultivation as a secondary practice."
"Then just ; we’ll take extra care of him," Lin En said.
"Thank you, Senior Lin," Zhen Yan expressed with gratitude.
While they were discussing, Lin En was about to dismiss everyone when he received a Sect transmission.
Lin En, with furrowed brows and a grave tone, said, "Everyone, the Sect tasks have just been updated. Our mission this time is to head to Mo Qilin Immortal City, where there is a large vein of Fire Essence Ore. The ore is of very high purity and contains a large amount of Heavenly Fire Marrow. I won’t elaborate on the value of Heavenly Fire Marrow, as you all know it."
"The Sect’s tasks are divided into two parts. The first is to assist with construction tasks in the Immortal City’s shops belonging to the Myriad Beasts Sect, such as breeding Spiritual Beasts and growing Spiritual Medicine. The second part is mining Heavenly Fire Marrow. The Fire Elves found with it also have at least Nascent Soul Cultivation. Therefore, Junior Zhen Dan, you must stick with us, and we’ll help you find a construction task." Lin En roughly described the tasks, speaking earnestly to Zhen Dan.
Zhen Dan, looking clean and poised, firmly said, "Senior Lin, I’ll join you."
Lin En stared for a while, then nodded. "If you have this courage and determination, then come with us. But if the pressure there becomes too much, you can tell me."
"Lastly, regarding the construction tasks, they have now appeared in the Flying Boat Hall. Junior Chen and Little Fish can go now to see if there are any good tasks available. We also need to go and pick up the task of mining Heavenly Fire Marrow." After finishing, Lin En led everyone to the Flying Boat Hall.
Within the hall, disciples with lower Cultivation clustered around the desks on the right, while those with high levels registered on the left and quickly left.
Watching the bustling cultivators, Chen Jiuge knew that they had arrived late. Once it was their turn, there probably wouldn’t be any good tasks left.
「An hour later, it was finally Chen Jiuge’s and Little Fish’s turn.」
The disciple in charge of registration happened to be the Vermilion Bird Peak disciple who had greeted them earlier. Her spirited face now showed impatience. Glancing at Chen Jiuge, she asked, "What type of task do you want to select?"
"Cultivating Spiritual Beasts," Chen Jiuge replied truthfully.
"Pick for yourself, within thirty minutes," the Female Cultivator said curtly.
Chen Jiuge caught the task list that was thrown to him and looked it over carefully. Goodness, these tasks were poor indeed; the Merit Points offered were pitifully low. The few that had a decent amount were incredibly troublesome and not something that Chen Jiuge’s current level of Cultivation could handle.
Flipping through the pages, Chen Jiuge’s eyes suddenly lit up. This task seemed quite promising!
"Cultivating a Fire Elf cub: reaching Fourth Rank Bloodline grants one hundred Merit Points, reaching Fifth Rank grants eight hundred Merit Points, reaching Sixth Rank grants three thousand Merit Points, reaching Seventh Rank grants fifty thousand Merit Points."